The team visted the Living Desert Zoo in Plam Springs today. The Living Desert was established in March 1970 as a 360 acre wilderness preserve. Currently at 1200 acres, its focus as a zoo is on interpreting and conserving the deserts of the world and is the only zoological and botanical park specializing in just one entire ecosystem.

Animals such as Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Lions, Coyote as well as other exotoc animals from outside of North America, but desert dwellers are profiled. Thanks to "Scotty" Dunlop, the Zoo Sales Manager for his personal tour.
In the afternoon, the team were hosted by Mario Suarez and Bill Morse on a tour of the Indian Canyons outside of Palm Springs.

These canyons were home to the Agua Caliente Cahuilla (pronounced Kaw-we-ah) Indians settled in the Palm Springs area and were part of extensive and complex communities in Palm, Murray, Andreas, Tahquitz and Chino Canyons. The Indians used these as there summer home due to the abundant water and hundreds of plants and animals found throughout the area which ensured stable living conditions.

The Canyons consist of several trails ranging from 1.5 miles to 15 mile hikes. The team hiked through the bottom of the canyon which is like an Oasis up to a hill where they could see Palm Springs. The temperature had hit the 100 mark so we hiked back to the Trading Post where we rested with cool water and wet towels supplied by Bill.

Tommorrow its District Conference. The team have worked hard on putting together a great presentation which highlights their work so far on what has been a fantastic Group Study Exchange.